Daniel 4:36

36 In that time my wit turned again to me, and I came fully to the honour and fairness of my realm, and my figure turned again to me (At that time my mind, or my sanity, returned to me, and I was fully restored to the honour and beauty and glory of my kingdom); and my best men and my magistrates sought me (out), and I was set in my realm, and my great doing was increased (even) greater to me.

Daniel 4:36 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 4:36

At the same time my reason returned unto me
Or, "my understanding" F17; this he repeats, not only to express the certainty of it, but the sense he had of the greatness of the favour, and of which what he said at this time is a full proof:

and for the glory of my kingdom mine honour and brightness returned
unto me:
or "form" F18, as the Septuagint; his majestic form, that royal majesty, that appeared in his countenance formerly, returned again; which graced him as a king, and made for the glory of his kingdom, and the administration of his office. Jarchi renders it, "and to the glory of my kingdom I returned"; and to the same purpose the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Arabic versions. This whole clause is wanting in the Syriac version. Jarchi interprets "brightness" of the form of his countenance; and Jacchiades of the light of it, the sparkling lustre and majesty of it. A strange change and alteration this!

And my counsellors and my lords sought unto me;
who very likely had the administration of government in their hands during this time; and as the dream, and the interpretation, were publicly known, and they had seen the first part of it fulfilled in the king's madness and miserable state, they had reason to believe the latter part also, and therefore waited for the accomplishment of it at the end of seven years; when they sought for him, and sought unto him, very probably by the direction of Daniel, who was at the head of them; and this may be the reason why another prince was not set upon the throne, because they expected his return to it at the expiration of these years; and in the mean while held the reins of government in their own hands, but now delivered them up to him:

and I was established in my kingdom;
as Daniel had told him, in the interpretation of his dream, that his kingdom should be sure to him, ( Daniel 4:26 ) :

and excellent majesty was added unto me;
or, more majesty F19; he had more honour and grandeur than he had before; more respect was shown him, and homage paid him: his latter end, like Job's, was greater than his beginning.


FOOTNOTES:

F17 (yednm) "intellectus meus", Cocceius, Michaelis.
F18 (ywyz) , (h morfh mou) , Sept.; "forma mea", Tigurine version, "figura mea", Munster.
F19 (aryty wbr) "magnificentia amplior", Pagninus, Montanus; "amplitudo major", Junius & Tremellius; "magnificentia major", Piscator; "majestas amplior seu major", Michaelis.

Daniel 4:36 In-Context

34 Therefore after the end of days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised mine eyes to heaven, and my wit was yielded to me; and I blessed the Highest, and I praised, and glorified him that liveth without end; for why his power is everlasting power, and his realm is in generation and into generation. (And so at the end of these days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised up my eyes to heaven, and my mind, or my sanity, was restored to me; and I blessed the Most High God, and I praised, and glorified him who liveth forever; because his power is everlasting power, and his kingdom is forever and ever.)
35 And all the dwellers of earth be areckoned into nought at him; for by his will he doeth, both in the hosts of heaven, and in the dwellers of earth, and none is that (may) against-standeth his hand, and saith to him, Why didest thou so? (And all the inhabitants of the earth be reckoned as nothing by him; for he doeth by his will, both to the armies of heaven, and to the inhabitants of the earth, and there is no one who can stand against his power, and can say to him, Why didest thou so?)
36 In that time my wit turned again to me, and I came fully to the honour and fairness of my realm, and my figure turned again to me (At that time my mind, or my sanity, returned to me, and I was fully restored to the honour and beauty and glory of my kingdom); and my best men and my magistrates sought me (out), and I was set in my realm, and my great doing was increased (even) greater to me.
37 Now therefore I Nebuchadnezzar praise, and magnify, and glorify the King of heaven; for all his works be true, and all his ways be dooms; and he may make meek, [or (make) low,] them that go in pride. (And so now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, and magnify, and glorify the King of heaven; for all his works be true, and all his ways be right and just; and he can humble, or make low, all those who go in pride.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.